Funeral services will be held at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church rural Westbrook, MN on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Michael Stangeland officiating.

1926 - Merle Marvin “Bud” Kathman -2012

Bud Kathman was born on March 8, 1926 in Emmet County, Iowa to Francis and Ora Murray Kathman. He grew up on the family farm near Emmetsburg, Iowa and attended country school. When Merle was a young man the family moved to a farm near Garvin, Minnesota. On March 10, 1944 he and Alice Sanow were married in Emmetsburg. In 1945 Merle enlisted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge in 1946 he returned to Garvin. In 1950 they moved to Tracy, Minnesota where Merle served as Chief of Police for 20 years. In 1970 they moved to Northern Minnesota and Merle worked at a service station until his retirement in 1978. Alice passed away on June 28, 1989. In 2007 Merle moved to Westside Apartments in Slayton, Minnesota. Merle passed away on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 86. He was a member of the American Legion and the Eagle’s Club. While in the Army Merle learned to box and he used those skills to train and manage the Tracy Jaycees Golden Glove Team. Merle enjoyed hunting, fishing, trap shooting, bowling, softball, boxing, bird watching and watching the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago Cubs. He especially enjoyed watching The Wheel of Fortune for Vanna White.

Funeral services will be held at Old Westbrook Lutheran Church rural Westbrook, MN on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Michael Stangeland officiating. The organist is Shirley Iverson with special music by Emily Sanow. The pallbearers are Terry Kathman, John Holbrook, Nicole April, Troy Henriksen, Darren Kathman, and Jay Holbrook. The honorary pallbearers are Christopher Johnson, Paula Wood, Gene Johnson, Kellie Parker, Tami Henriksen, Karina Kathman, Jason Kathman Allyson Sand and Ray Schultes. Interment will be private. Military honors accorded by the Westbrook American Legion Post and the Westbrook VFW Post.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 12, 2012 at the Totzke Funeral Home in Slayton from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and also one hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com.